This is a translation of the book "L'Allenamento al Gioco di Squadra", by Nicola Comucci.
All Rights Reserved.
(Translation is ongoing)
All Rights Reserved.
(Translation is ongoing)
The Pass
We believe it is unnecessary,
at this point, to dwell on a historical or descriptive analysis of “the pass”.
Some specialized manuals tell us that the Scots were the first to “invent”
passing. Obviously, this is an arbitrary
statement, but the fact that it was expressed can lead us to deduce that there
was a difference between Scottish and English games (this was around 1870, so
over a century ago). This difference consisted basically in the fact that the former
sought to approach the opposing team’s goal by means of passing (and, only as a
lesser alternative did they try to handle the ball themselves), while the latter
adopted the inverse procedure: guiding the ball forward and - once this turned
out to be impossible, or at least precarious - passing it to a teammate.
It is now common
knowledge that the game of soccer is essentially the manner in which the ball
is sent as close as possible to the opposing goal, so as to find itself in the
most favorable conditions possible for scoring. The final phase (scoring a goal)
is normally solved by a shot (kick, headshot, etc.) that has certain features:
precision, violence, shrewdness, and so on. The preparatory phase of the approach,
which is significantly more extensive in terms of time and space, is achieved
by means of two technical elements: the guiding of the ball, and the pass. It
is commonly accepted (although this is only true to a point) that the guiding
of the ball is a characteristic of individual play, while passing is considered
the basic element of collective play or, to be more precise, team play.
Passing:
technique or tactic?
During an
international conference for soccer coaches, I witnessed a very lively
discussion as to whether passing should be considered a "technical"
or "tactical" element of soccer practice. As is the case with most
discussions in general - and with soccer in particular - the difficulty in a
mutual understanding rested on the difference in meaning given to a certain
expression, even a commonly used one. For one side, tactics were exclusively an
elaboration of thought; for the other they were simply the practical use of
certain technical processes. We will not address the merits of the dispute
here. In fact, we will not be discussing 'tactics', but team play. And in a
team, techniques and tactics are two sides of the same problem, as we shall see
later.
What is passing
(and what is it used for)
To return to
passing, we can simply state that it consists in "sending the ball from
one player to the other" and thus it manifests itself as a "kick"
(or headshot), and as “control” over the ball, by the 'distributor' and the
'receiver', respectively. To complete our brief analysis of passing, we can
also say that it is characteristic of an situation of offense (in fact, it
requires possession of the ball) and that its main objective is to maintain
possession of the ball. Along with this main objective, however, there are
other - not subordinated, but rather collateral – goals, of which the most
important are:
a) To approach the
opposing goal
b) To deceive
opponents as to one’s own intentions for the continued progression of the game.
This latter
element (deceiving the opponents) is of course the most important element,
tactically speaking. Although theorists argue that tactics consist in the
rational application of technique, while playing the game - and in order to win
- experience tells us that surprise (and thus deception, which is its main assumption)
represents the most significant and most beneficial element of the various
tactical processes, no matter their nature.
Deception and
surprise
Deception and
surprise in the development of the game are made far easier through dynamic
action. It is commonly accepted that a stationary player can be controlled by
the opponent much more easily than a moving player, and this situation becomes
even more difficult when the player changes their running direction often and
suddenly. It goes without saying that deceit and surprise must occur with
regards to opponents, not to teammates, who, on the contrary, must have a clear
idea of what is going on.
Generally
speaking, the action of passing can be considered successfully completed once
the ball reaches the teammate to whom it was directed, so that the latter can,
in turn, immediately bring it back into play. This assumption, however,
although certainly essential, does not suffice when actual teamwork is taking
place. The person executing the pass - once the ball has been sent in the
correct direction - should, in turn, participate in the continuation of the
action. Obviously, this participation, in most cases, can only take place through
movement, and at this point another very important factor of so-called “modern”
team play comes into effect.
Movement
In
fact, it has often been affirmed that movement is the element that best
illustrates the effectiveness of team play. For some time, a distinction was
made between the movement of people and the movement of the ball, but this was
mostly semantics, and of little practical significance. The movement of the
ball – which is what counts the most – is fruitless if not accompanied by the
correct movement of the players. Finally, and once again on the subject of movement,
it has been affirmed that “when everybody moves, the effort is distributed more
evenly!”. Clearly, when we talk about overall movement, we should not be
worrying so much about more equitably distributing fatigue, but about using it
more effectively; that is, not rendering it useless. It is true that a player
who moves will be much more useful to the team than one who stays absolutely
immobile, but it is also true that it will not be very productive to ask a
player to move if this does not know “where”, “when” and “why” to move. In our
preliminary analysis, we will try to answer these questions, both while
presenting the following exercises, as well as during the conclusive
explanations related to the various group exercises.
Training for passing
The
pass, as we have already mentioned, in reality consists in transferring the
ball from one player to the other. Therefore, the most common form of training
is the following: you take two players, you give them a ball, and you ask them
to pass it to one another. Generally, conscientious instructors and
“programmers” establish a progression of difficulty for this type of exercise.
At first they have the technical movement carried out from a stationary
position, which requires the easiest method of kicking (usually using the
inside of the foot). And then, the distance, the type of trajectory that the
ball has to take, the part of the foot being used, etc. can all be altered. At
this point we usually proceed with the same exercises, but while moving
(lateral passing, oblique passing, deep passing, cross passing, etc.)
It
should be stated that these are very useful exercises, and they are targeted
mainly at perfecting true technical skill: the way to kick the ball while still
and while moving, the ability to measure its trajectory and to evaluate its
speed and direction, the ability to control it with various parts of the body. From
the point of view of the introduction to team play, however, these movements
must be given a precise meaning. And it is precisely the understanding of this
meaning that must be refined and incorporated.
The
effectiveness of team play essentially consists in the following assumptions:
a) The
movement of each of component, as well as of the team as a whole, has a common
thread and is well understood by “all” the players.
b) This
movement, at the moment in which it develops, is not perceived by the players
of the opposing team, who must always remain uncertain as to how it will
manifest itself after the action takes place.
In assessing the
game of a particular team, we can sometimes say that it is “well constructed”,
but “easy to predict”. In other cases, we can say that is does not follow a
logical course, but relies on chance and improvisation.
These are
obviously two opposing - but equally non-ideal - situations, from the point of
view of attaining the ultimate objective.
The Player
without a Ball
Normally
we say that the player without a ball who, by means of speed and running
direction, will indicate, to the teammate who is in possession of the ball,
where to pass and with what type of trajectory. This is true up to a certain
point. Experience teaches us that many times the exact opposite is what occurs.
When
there are particularly gifted players, who have a “vision of the play”, the
so-called “builders” or “playmakers”, these are the ones who, with their
passing, invite their teammates to action, indicating “where” and “when” to
move. The person who is passing, however, must immediately decide whether,
where, and how to move, under any circumstance. This player, using movement or
behavior, is the one who shall determine the nature and the type of the ensuing
development.
Passing and
movement
One
of the failings that players are often blamed for, is that of “staying still”
after the pass, waiting to see how the game develops in the immediate
aftermath. Now, first of all, it is necessary for the players to understand
that it is precisely the person making this transition who has the task, at that
precise moment, of giving the “go-ahead” to a joint action, and that this
“go-ahead” is determined precisely by the type of behavior.
During
the preliminary training phase, each pass should be immediately followed by an
acceleration in running. This combination of movements (pass-acceleration) must
be become automatic, through suitable and appropriate repetitions. And since
this movement can take place “behind” the pass (as in the case of an
“overlapping run”), or in a direction other than the direction in which the
ball was sent, we shall begin our series of exercises taking into account these
two particular types of “movement connections”.
Exercise 1
Three players are
arranged as shown in Figure 1. At one spot in the field, there are two players
(A and C). Player B is front of them, around 15-20 meters away. A is in
possession of the ball.
A
starts the series of passes and, after sending the ball to B, quickly runs to
take B’s place (in other words, A follows the trajectory of the ball). B passes
the ball to C and also runs in the direction of the ball, taking the initial place
of A. C, in turn, passes to A, continuing to run in the same direction, and so
on.
This
movement is very simple, and is easy to assimilate. Depending on the technical
skill of the players, preliminary control of the ball may be conceded – before
the pass – or a direct “initial” pass may be needed.
If
this exercise is carried out at a quick rhythm, it can also be useful from the
point of view of athletic conditioning.
Exercise 2
The
group of players forms a circle, with one person in the middle. One of the
players in the outer circle is in possession of the ball (Figure 2).
At
the beginning of the exercise, the player in possession of the ball passes
toward the center, running immediately behind the ball (and therefore moving to
the center). The player in the center passes the ball to the next player and
runs to take their place. This next player, in turn, passes back to the center
running behind the pass, and so on.
Variation
– Rather than following a pre-established order in the series of passes,
the player at the center of the circle shall decide to which teammate of the circle
to send the ball. In any case, the player must always run following the
direction of the ball.
Exercise 3
The
dynamic of this movement is similar to that of the preceding exercises. The
players arrange themselves in a circle (see figure 3) and one of them is in
possession of the ball. In this case, none of them will be positioned in the
center.
The
player in possession of the ball will start the exercise, passing to one of the
teammates (any one of them will do), and then running to take replace this
teammate. This receiving teammate will, in turn, pass the ball to another
teammate and run after the ball, and so on.
The
smaller the number of members of the group, the more intense the exercise will
be. Also, the width of the circle – that is, the distance to be covered – is
significant in this regard.
The
movements related to exercises 1, 2 and 3 are based on running “after” the
pass. In certain circumstances, however, the run must be in a direction other
than that of the ball. The following exercises, in connection with other
elements, which we will discuss more in detail later on, call for this type of
running.
Exercise 4
The
players arrange themselves in a triangle, as shown in Figure 4. The distance
between the players should be around 8-10 meters.
A,
in possession of the ball, makes a straight pass toward B, and then quickly switches
places with C.
B
passes the ball back, so that now C will receive it.
C
passes the ball to A, and quickly switches places with B, so that the latter receives
A’s return pass. B, in turn, passes the ball to C, switching places with A, and
so on.
The
balls’ paths must always end up at the initial position of A, so whoever is in
A, after the return pass, will have to switch places with the third player.
Exercise 5
The players
arrange themselves in a circle, with one of them in the center, as shown in
figure 5.
The
player in the center, who is in possession of the ball, starts the exercise
with a pass to any of the teammates on the circumference the circle, and then
heads, in a hurry, to any teammate of choice. This last teammate will trade
places, heading toward the center so as to collect the return pass, which will,
in the meantime, have been made by the player to whom the ball had been sent.
The
new player in the center will then send the ball to a teammate in the circle,
switching places quickly with a third player, and so on.
Exercise 6
The dynamics of
this movement (passing to a teammate and switching places with a third player)
are similar to the previous exercise. The players arrange themselves in a
circle (see figure 6). One player is in possession of the ball, none of them
are in the center.
The
player in possession of the ball passes it to one of the teammates on the
circumference the circle, then heads quickly in the direction of a third
player. The latter must immediately switch places with the first. The player
who receives the ball, in turn, will pass it to another teammate, switching
places with a third player, and so on.
In
the initial stages, a small adjustment may be made before making the pass.
Later on, however, the sequence of passes should take place right away.
The
two exercises that follow repeat the fundamental themes covered above, but in
another form. So, respectively:
a)
passing and running after the call (overlap)
b)
passing and switching places with a third player.
Exercise 7
A
mixture (interweave) of passes with overlapping run.
Three
players (A, B and C) line up and the person in the middle has possession of the
ball (figure 7).
The
series of passes and movements is as follows:
A
passes diagonally in front of the direction B is running, and then runs behind
B. B passes diagonally to C and then runs behind C. C then passes to A and runs
behind A, and so on.
When
carried out along the length of the field, the exercise can end with the
conclusive final shot in goal.
Exercise 8
Three
players (A, B and C) line up, as shown in figure 8. A, on the exterior, has
possession of the ball.
The
exercise begins with an oblique diagonal pass of A in the running path of C,
followed immediately by a switching of places with B. The next oblique pass of
C, on the other side, will be received by B. In the meantime, C will have
switched places with A. Now it is B who passes to A and switches places with C,
and so on.
When
performed along the length of the field, this exercise can also end with a
final shot in goal by the first player to enter into the penalty area.
Exercise 4
The
movement here is similar to that of the previous exercise, the only exception
being that C will start the play and, with the subsequent running movement,
will initiate switching places with B (see figure 12).
In
this case as well, it will be player A to pass toward whichever player, among
the other two, ends up being in a more favorable situation.
As regards
exercises 3 and 4, we consider it appropriate to highlight the following:
a) The
player in the rear (A) carries out the deep pass by receiving an oblique pass
from behind. The timing of this movement is very important, since it should
reach the teammate, who will be running.
b) Player
A’s assessment. That is, this player’s decision to pass should already have
been made while the two players in front are crossing each other. Otherwise,
they will have to stop and wait for the pass while standing still, after having
reached their positions.
c) In
this case as well, at the end of the second pass, the players will once again
be arranged in a triangle.
CHAPTER II
The triangle
In
the previous chapter, in addition to the general considerations on passing, we
tried to highlight the opportunity that the person directing the ball toward a
teammate has to connect this technical element with an immediate subsequent
running movement.
In
the game of soccer, as we know, there are indeed limitative rules (establishing
what must not be done), but in no way can there exist an absolute rule establishing
what must be done; in other words, a rule that determines how it should be
carried out (and with reason, otherwise what sort of game would it be?).
Therefore, in certain circumstances, it may very well be the case that the
person who is passing should instead remain in the same area, whether as cover
or support, or to allow other players to insert themselves into play.
If
we started from a concept of “passing and movement”, it was for a very precise
reason. In the early stages of training, this linking of movements should be
automated as much as possible. In other words, standing still after the pass
must correspond to a willful act, while starting to move should not be a
willful act. Movement should be a general rule, while staying still is the
exception.
After
this brief introduction, let’s continue with our analysis of team play.
Choice
A
fundamental rule of the collective form of the game states that the person in
possession of the ball should have at least two chances to disengage. This can
occur if, at a distance that is easily accessible, at least two teammates are
freed up to receive the pass. Naturally, these two teammates should not be on
the same trajectory, but in two differing directions, possibly one on the right
and one on the left of the person in possession of the ball. The 3:1 training
game, well known to all, basically responds to this purpose. The exercise related to the “interweave of
passes” with overlapping run, illustrated in the previous chapter, also
highlights this situation.
The third man
Every
passing exercise, therefore, in order to be introductory to a real team game –
even the simplest one – should always take at least three players into account
(one in possession of the ball and two who are about to receive the pass). In
fact, when, in an offense position, there is only one player available to
receive a useful pass (and by “useful” here we mean one that allows the team in
possession of the ball to gain ground and get ahead), even just one defender –
as long as this defender is attentive – can effectively counter this player.
If, on the other hand, there are two players available (this is obviously the
minimum number), they may, with quick and coordinated movements, place their
respective defenders in more difficulty.
Now
let us see what the simplest forms of this coordination of movements are.
The triangle
This
is one of the terms borrowed from geometry that is frequently used in soccer
jargon. The term describes both the movement of the ball as well as the
position of the players in their dynamic evolutions. When we used the term
“triangle”, we will be referring mostly to this latter element, that is, to the
location of the players on the field. In the development of an action of play,
it may be more or less “flattened”, but the worst situation, in any case, is
when it is completely undone (i.e. the three players are on the same line),
both in an offensive as well as a defensive position.
The
exercises shown below indeed call for the triangle type of displacement – and
for maintaining this triangle – by the players engaged in dynamic action.
Exercise 1
The
three players, at a distance of around 10 meters from each other, take position
on the field as shown in figure 9. A, the player most in the rear, is in
possession of the ball, and starts the exercise with a short pass toward C,
which will go to receive it moving transversely toward the inside.
Right
after the pass, A will move forward along B’s longitudinal line, while B will
cross over to the right, along C’s longitudinal line. C, who is in possession
of the ball, will pass toward A or B, as desired, according to the
possibilities and according to the situation (marking, etc.) in which the
teammates find themselves after movement.
Exercise 2
The
initial location of the players is identical to that of the previous exercise
(see figure 10). Once again, in this case, A, the player most in the rear, is
in possession of the ball.
The movement
starts with a short pass toward B, while A travels toward C and C crosses over
to B’s area.
For exercises 1
and 2, the following should be noted:
a)
the
oblique crossing movement of the free player (i.e. The one who does not receive
the ball) is consequential to A’s run. In other words, it is A, who, running
toward the teammate, gives the signal to the latter to move to the other side.
b)
at the
end of the second pass, the position of the players should still constitute a
triangle (the player in the rear, now, will be B or C, depending on the case).
Exercise 3
The
players are once again arranged in a triangle, as in the previous exercises and
as indicated in figure 11. Player B is in possession of the ball.
The
exercise beings with a slightly backward side pass toward teammate A, who needs
to advance a few steps in order to receive it. Immediately after this pass, B
will change places with C, heading toward the latter’s area. C will respond by
heading toward B’s area.
A,
having received the ball, must immediately – or at least as soon as possible –
direct it to one of the two teammates. Naturally toward the one who will be in
a more favorable condition to receive it and to continue the play.
Exercise 5
The
location of the players on the ground is the usual triangle formation (see
figure 13). Player B is in possession of the ball.
The
exercise begins with a transversal pass from B to C, who, moving toward the
ball, taps it back to A. The movement of the two players in front takes place by
means of B’s overlapping run, leading to the longitudinal line of C, while C,
running forward diagonally, moves to that of B. The subsequent pass by A will
reach either B or C, depending on the position and the situation of one or the
other.
Exercise 6
The
succession of passes and running movements are similar to those of the previous
exercise, with the exception of the fact that now it is player C to introduce
the movement (see figure 14) and to carry out the run overlapping B.
At
this point, we deem it appropriate to stop for a minute and analyze the
abovementioned exercises a bit more. This way we can see how - and to what
extent - a precise meaning can be attributed to the actual subject of the beginning
of team play.
First
of all, as has already been mentioned, whichever combination is implemented,
the two players who find themselves in front will always have their teammate
“covering”, ready to intervene in the event that any adversary manages to get a
hold of the ball – with an advance or a contrast – and attempts to initiate a
counterattack.
The
movements aren’t at all predictable, nor are they random. As always, it is the
player in possession of the ball who, by means of passing and a follow-up
running movement, determines what the teammate’s subsequent movement will be.
Based on the situation created on the field, this player will have to make the
decision that seems most suitable and effective.
All
players must train themselves to think and to reflect, and this reflection must
always correspond to some general principles. These principles will ensure that
the members of the team realize, at any moment of the game, what is happening
and how the game is developing.
The
six exercises listed above can take place one right after the other without
interruption. Indeed, at a more advanced stage of training, it is appropriate
for this to occur.
Let’s
take a practical example: if we consider exercise 1, we see that the movement,
started by Player A in the rear, is carried out with the passing of C toward B
or A. Let us suppose, as a hypothesis, that the pass was aimed toward player A.
In a real game situation, as well as in a particular form of training, A should
finish the action with a shot in goal. However, this is not always possible. Opponents
also exist, and it is precisely their task to hinder or prevent the
continuation of that action. In this
case, we would have to undertake a new play, and so it would be A (who is
currently in B’s initial position), in possession of the ball, who needs to set
things in motion. If player A passes the ball back to the player in the rear
(the one who is now in A’s starting position), and then remains standing in
place, it means that player A does not intend to assume any responsibility, for
the moment, and wishes to cede the initiative to the teammate. The latter, who
is in a position further back, should have more freedom of movement, and may
act according to the scheme indicated in the exercise (i.e. the same as the
previous one, but with the players switched) or in exercise 2.
If,
however, player A, who is on the right, deems it appropriate to start a new
combination – and naturally this player will have that choice – it will be
possible to behave as indicated in exercise 3, or in exercise 5, that is, using
the combinations that call for Player B (basically, the player at the top of
the triangle) as the element from which the combination should start.
The
same applies if the player in position C has come in possession of the ball
(the right side of the triangle).
In
essence, it will be the player who is in possession of the ball who, from time
to time and depending on the situation or circumstances, through passing and
general behavior, will indicate the scheme to be carried out to the teammates.
Summarizing
the general principles of team play discussed thus far – with regards to the
connections of a group of three players – we can make the following
conclusions:
a) if
the player who is passing remains stationary and in place, this means that this
player cannot – or does not deem it appropriate to – take any initiative, and
that this initiative is “transferred” over to the teammate to whom the ball is
sent.
b) If
the player that is passing moves in a certain direction – whatever it may be –
the teammate who has not received the pass (the so-called “third player”) will
have to go occupy the area just left vacant, thus making sure that the triangle
shape is maintained.
During the
exercises, the coach should pay attention to two points in particular. The
first, which is also the most important, especially with regards to young
players, concerns the actually technical execution. The ball must be controlled
well, kicked well, and given the correct amount of power, in terms of direction
and trajectory. If any of these points are found lacking, it would be opportune
to carry out many repetitions, providing suitable suggestions and advice (body
balance, foot position, etc.) on a case by case basis. The second, which is
certainly not negligible, refers to the synchronization of movements between
the three players. Moving too early or too late could both be mistakes. Suggestions
in this regard can only be made by the coach, on a case by case basis. The
so-called “Timing” constitutes a particular sensibility which, more often than
not, will separate the best players from the rest. Essentially, the movement of
players without a ball must take place before their teammate has come into its
possession, but only once they are perfectly sure that the player will come
into possession of it. Otherwise, any loss of the ball could cause their team –
or at least the players who are part of the play – to be completely out of
balance, and therefore in no position to respond to a possible counterattack by
the opposing team.
Once
the succession of movements has been well-assimilated, it is appropriate that
these exercises be performed in the presence of two opponents, acting as
defenders, who will have to control (even without opposition, at first) the two
players in front. At a later moment, a “free” player can also be inserted
behind the defenders, so as to make the exercise more realistic.
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